Air-conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners face challenges in maintaining a desirable gas-liquid two-phase state of refrigerant in the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe while suppressing the increase in compressor discharge temperature, which can lead to inefficient refrigerant transportation and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liquid injection pipe in the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe to branch part of the refrigerant and feed it to the compressor, along with a refrigerant return pipe and cooler, to maintain a stable two-phase state and control the compressor discharge temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve is temporarily increased to decrease the discharge temperature, then the discharge temperature is reduced, but the refrigerant state in the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe varies and the desirable gas-liquid two-phase state cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid injection pipe as an intermediary component that branches from the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe and feeds liquid refrigerant directly to the compressor suction side. This intermediary system allows temperature control of the compressor discharge without affecting the indoor expansion valve operation, thereby maintaining the desirable gas-liquid two-phase state in the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe while suppressing excessive discharge temperature increases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the refrigerant control system into multiple independent pathways: the main liquid-refrigerant connection pipe for transporting refrigerant in two-phase state to indoor units, and a separate liquid injection pipe for controlling compressor discharge temperature by injecting liquid refrigerant directly to the suction side. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function without mutual interference
2Productivity
If the refrigerant is transported in the two-phase state through the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe, then efficient refrigerant transportation is achieved, but the compressor discharge temperature excessively increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid injection pipe serves as an intermediary cooling system that injects liquid refrigerant directly to the compressor suction side, providing targeted cooling without disrupting the two-phase refrigerant transportation in the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe. This allows efficient refrigerant transportation to be maintained while suppressing excessive discharge temperature increases through the intermediary cooling pathway
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing targeted cooling only at the compressor suction side through the liquid injection pipe, rather than cooling the entire refrigerant circulation system. This localized cooling approach maintains the two-phase state in the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe for efficient transportation while specifically addressing the discharge temperature issue at the compressor location
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures reliable transportation of refrigerant in a two-phase state while preventing excessive compressor discharge temperature increases, maintaining efficient operation and refrigerant flow.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid-pressure adjustment expansion valve that decompresses a refrigerant so that the refrigerant flowing through the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe is in a gas-liquid two-phase state
Implementation Method 2
the liquid injection pipe is provided in the portion of the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe on the side of the outdoor heat exchanger with respect to the liquid-pressure adjustment expansion valve to branch part of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe and feed the refrigerant to the compressor
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant cooler that cools the refrigerant flowing through a portion of the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
An air conditioner, in which a liquid-pressure adjustment expansion valve that decompresses a refrigerant so that the refrigerant flowing through a liquid-refrigerant connection pipe is in a gas-liquid two-phase state is provided in an outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe that connects a liquid-side end of an outdoor heat exchanger to the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe, properly transports the refrigerant in a two-phase state while suppressing an increase in a discharge temperature of a compressor. A liquid injection pipe (46) that branches part of a refrigerant flowing through an outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe (34) and feeds the branched refrigerant to a compressor (21) is connected to a portion of the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe (34) on a side of an outdoor heat exchanger (23) with respect to a liquid-pressure adjustment expansion valve (26).